Cowboys' Betting Guide Ahead of 2022 NFL Season

The Dallas Cowboys are set to kick off their 2022 preseason against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. While the exhibition contest won't ultimately mean anything, it will give fans an early glimpse of what Dallas can be this season.

The Cowboys won the NFC East last season and return most of their key players—Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Micah Parson and CeeDee Lamb among them. Head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff are back for another run as well.

The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have their own ideas of what Dallas will accomplish in 2022. They'll also provide fans so inclined with multiple opportunities to make a few wagers.

Here, you'll find a complete overview of Cowboys betting options and our picks for some favorable 2022 props. All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Odds to Win NFC East: +135

Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys are favored to win the division. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 08: Dallas Cowboys Running Back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball with Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Back Andre Chachere (21) defending during the first half of the National Football League game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 8, 2021, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Cowboys are the early favorites to win the NFC East, with odds of +135 (bet $100 to win $135). The oddsmakers expect a fairly tight race, though, as the Philadelphia Eagles are close behind at +165.

The Washington Commanders and New York Giants are further behind, at +500 and +800, respectively.

It certainly does feel like we'll see a two-team race in the division this season, though Washington could surprise if Carson Wentz is able to regain his previous Pro Bowl-caliber form.

Most bettors will want to decide whether Dallas or Philadelphia is the top team going into Week 1. It's not an easy choice. The Eagles also made the postseason in 2021, and they added some quality pieces in the offseason, including rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis, veteran corner James Bradberry and star receiver A.J. Brown.

Dallas, meanwhile, parted with the likes of Amari Cooper, La'el Collins, Connor Williams, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Randy Gregory this offseason. It also recently lost free-agent addition James Washington to a foot fracture, and he'll miss 6-10 weeks, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Michael Gallup continues to rehab from last season's torn ACL.

On paper, the Eagles have improved while the Cowboys have not.

Dallas still has a reasonable chance to win the division, but it's far from a lock. Odds of +135 aren't exactly enticing, and this is one to avoid. The potential reward doesn't quite outweigh the risk.

Win Total: Over/Under 10

Will Mike McCarthy deliver another 10-win season? (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

OXNARD, CA - AUGUST 01: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys watches during training camp drills at River Ridge Fields on August 1, 2022 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Dallas has one huge asset heading into the regular season. It has a franchise quarterback in Prescott and a solid relationship between quarterback and coach.

"He takes care of us. He builds his relationships," the 29-year-old said of McCarthy, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. "We have a great relationship that has continued to build."

As long as Prescott stays healthy, the Cowboys will be in the playoff mix this season. They have too much talent across the roster to not push for the postseason in the underwhelming NFC.

Looking outside the division, the NFC's top contenders include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals. It would be a surprise if Dallas didn't claim one of the seven postseason berths.

Dallas should also top its over/under of 10 wins. The Cowboys have the league's easiest schedule (tied) in terms of opposing 2021 win percentage (.462). They're coming off a 12-5 campaign and should again see double-digit wins in 2022.

The Eagles may overtake Dallas in the division, but it would require significant injuries or a total schematic breakdown for the Cowboys to fall below 10 wins this season. If you're a fan of win-total wagers, take the over here.

Player Props

CeeDee Lamb is Dallas' new No. 1 receiver. (George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

FRISCO, TX - JUNE 02: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) makes a catch during the Dallas Cowboys OTA Offseason Workouts on June 2, 2022 at The Star in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fans who enjoy player props have a couple of intriguing options to consider in 2022. The first that we like involves CeeDee Lamb. The third-year receiver is +250 to have at least two games with 149.5 receiving yards or more.

The 23-year-old didn't achieve the feat last season, though he did have one game with exactly 149 receiving yards. With Cooper out, though, he's now the unquestioned No. 1 receiver and will at least see the targets needed to surpass 150 yards on multiple occasions.

With Gallup and Washington injured, and rookie Jalen Tolbert still unproven, Prescott will be inclined to funnel the ball to Lamb early and often. The odds here are enticing enough to take the chance.

DraftKings also has a prop involving Ezekiel Elliott and fellow running back Tony Pollard. The duo is +130 to produce at least one 1,000-yard rusher. Both should be productive players, but the Cowboys are looking to make Elliott the centerpiece of the rushing attack.

"He has to be the focal point," franchise owner Jerry Jones said on NFL Network. "There is room for Pollard while Zeke is in there."

Elliott may not be the elite back he once was, and Pollard will cut into his workload. However, he managed to top 1,000 yards last season (1.002) and should see enough carries to get there again in 2022.

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